Another great RN documentary on a life spent in HMS REPULSE a Polaris submarine.
Click HERE to view the video. Thanks, Mole for the link.
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Life in HMS REPULSE
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A Question of Badges?
A question arose after ANZAC Day 2019 where a Communicator was seen wearing the Communication Warfare Specialist badge on the sleeve and a Sparkers badge on the cuff in a similar fashion to the Navigator Yeoman, Marksman and Ships Diving badges.
The question was posed to the Communications world and the answer is as follows:
IAW NZBR 3 Ch 2 the CWS trade is to wear their specialist trade as below.
0220. Specialist Qualification Badges
1. Badges for additional specialist qualifications awarded to ratings within the RNZN are listed below:
a. Ship’s Diver. Awarded to personnel that have completed the Defence Diver Course.
b. Navigator’s Yeoman. Awarded to personnel that have completed the Navigator’s Yeoman Course.
c. Anti-submarine Aircraft Controller. Awarded to personnel that have completed the Anti-submarine/Surface Aircraft Controller Course.
d. Marksman. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Marksman.
e. Bugler. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Bugler.
f. Flight Deck Officer. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Flight Deck Officer.
g. Yeoman of Signals. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Yeoman of Signals.
h. Radio Supervisor. Awarded to personnel that have obtained the qualification of Radio Supervisor.
2. Specialist qualification badges are not worn by Officers or Warrant Officers and are worn on the right cuff by other ratings as follows:
a. By Chief Petty Officers – 7mm above the centre cuff button on black service dress jackets.
b. By Petty Officers – 40mm above the end of the sleeve on black service dress jackets.
c. By Junior Ratings – 40mm above the end of the sleeve on black and white service jackets.
So there you go. the old branch badges continue to be recognised.
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Communications Branch Photo
Below is an image of the Communications Branch of HMNZS ROTOITI 1960-61 commission. Click on Image to enlarge. Thanks, Roy Sefton for image
Back Row: Sig Jake Huka, Sig Herbert Anscombe, Tel Don McMurray, Sig Stewart Boyes, Tel Miles Dalrymple, Tel Laurie Leef, Tel David Synott, Sig Charles Conroy, Sig Bryan Baker,
Front row. Tel Roy Sefton, L/Sig William Bartlett, PO Tel Geoge Rolton, Lt Beauchamp. Ch Yeoman of Sigs Leslie Thorpe, L/Tel Carl Edwards, Sig Ian Buckingham.
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Jack Passings – May 2019
The following Sailors ‘Crossed the Bar’ during the month of May 2019. Details of funerals etc can be found by clicking HERE.
HEWSON, Robert Charles (Bob) Weapon Mechanic
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ANOTHER REVIEW!
Certificate of Appreciation and Veteran’s Pin
We’re reviewing the Certificate of Appreciation and Veteran’s Pin.
While we conduct the review we are not able to accept new applications for the certificate and pin. Once it’s completed we’ll be accepting applications again.
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NGAPONA Newsletter
LONGCAST
10 May 19 – Navy Club Lunch, Remuera Club. (WoN & SoY)
17 May 19 – Ngapona Assn Lunch at Pt Chevalier RSA
25 May 19 – Artificer Apprentices Assn, Ngataringa. Contact andy.francis@xtra.co.nz
1-3 June 19 – Queen’s Birthday Weekend
1-3 June 19 – RNZN Antarctic Veterans Reunion, Rangiora RSA Contact bill.lochrie@xtra.co.nz
14 June 19 – Navy Club Lunch, Remuera Club.
16 June 19 – Ngapona Assn AGM, Pt Chevalier RSA
21 June 19 – Ngapona Assn Lunch at Howick RSA
THE NAVY CLUB MONTHLY LUNCH
The Navy Club holds a monthly lunch at the Remuera Club on the second Friday of each month. This month, 10 May, they will have the 2018 Sailor of the Year LCSS Alicia Wall as their guest speaker and she will be accompanied by the Warrant Officer Navy. They need everyone seated by 12:15 so they can get the guest speaker underway. All ex-service persons are welcome. Please contact the Secretary, Noel Davies, at noel@daviesgroup.nz if you would like to attend. You will need to be at the club prior to midday.
NEW RAN MINEHUNTERS
The Australian government could accelerate the replacement of the Royal Australian Navy’s current Huon-class minehunters by bringing the project forward from the 2030s to the mid-2020s. The move would be completed as part of a new maritime mine countermeasures program, which is to be known as SEA 1905. Over AUD 1 billion has been allocated to deliver the full scope of SEA 1905, including the building of the two mine warfare support vessels and investment in new mine countermeasure systems. As outlined by the Liberal Party ahead of federal elections in May, the two mine warfare support vessels would be built at the Henderson shipyard precinct in West Australia.
A decision on the construction of an additional hydrographic vessel is scheduled for approval in fourth quarter 2019 with construction expected to start in the early 2020s.
Part of the Hydrographic Data Collection Capability project (SEA 2400), the vessel would undertake a strategic collection of maritime environmental data as part of the military survey function.
“Our government is investing more than AUD 200 billion in Australia’s defence capability over the next 10 years – the nation’s biggest investment in defence in decades,” Australian prime minister Scott Morrison said. “This commitment in West Australia adds to the 31 minor war vessels already being built in the state – built in Australia, by Australian workers, with Australian steel.”
HMAS Gascoyne is the fourth of the six Huon Class Minehunters (MHC). She was launched on 11 March 2000 and is based in Sydney at HMAS Waterhen. A large minehunter by world standards, the 720 tonne, 52.5 metre MHC is propelled by a V8 diesel engine driving a controllable pitch propeller in transit, and three retractable thrusters whilst minehunting. HMAS Gascoyne is the second RAN ship to carry the name, the original was Australia’s first River Class anti-submarine frigate that served with distinction during World War II. In October 1944, whilst surveying for the US landings at Leyte Gulf, Gascoyne (I) experienced 39 air attacks and saw 30 Japanese aircraft destroyed. In July 1945, she provided bombardment support for the Australian troop landings in the Balikpapan area of Borneo.
HMAS Gascoyne
DID YOU KNOW?
On 6 May 1990, the names assigned to the four sail training craft announced as Paea ll, Mako ll, Manga ll and Haku ll.
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Veterans Support Amendment Bill – Social Services and Community Select Committee
Yes, The Veterans Support Amendment Bill has had its first reading and has been sent to the Social Services and Community Select Committee. I thought it may be interesting to see who sits on this Committee. Get a warm feeling?
Chairperson – Gareth Hughes Green List MP
Deputy Chairperson – Priyanca Radhakrishnan Labour List MP
Member – Darroch Ball NZ First List MP
Member – Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki Labour List MP
Member – Agnes Loheni National List MP
Member – Alfred Ngaro National List MP
Member – Greg O’Connor Labour MP for Ohairu
Member – Maureen Pugh National List MP
Member – Louise Upston National MP for Taupo
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HMNZS BLACKPOOL 1966-67
Here is an image of the BLACKPOOL Comms Crew
Back row L – R: John Titmus, Eddie Tottman, Dan Warrington, Bob Ratu, Ken Beatty
Middle row L-R: Gordon Kyne, Gene Autridge, Leigh Hammond, Frank Lewis, Waka Wakerly, John Cupples, Keith Walsh,
Front row, Jeff Still, Bugs Hewson, Nev Wynn, Bob Hill, Nick Carter, Dave Crick.
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A Couple of Quiet Ones
Great image of communicators having a couple of quiet ones whilst ashore.
L-R Signalman Ross (Hank) Cowan, Sig. Rex (Buck) Rodgers, Telegraphist Roy Sefton
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Jack Passings – June 2019
The following Sailors ‘Crossed the Bar’ during the month of June 2019. Details of funerals etc can be found by clicking HERE.
LUNDY, Eric David (Ric) Seaman
ROSEWARNE, John Reginald (Rosie). LME1
HARKNESS Brian Talbot (Hark, Snow) Seaman
COOTES, Derrick Anthony (Dell) Cdr
HILL Robin Bernard (Bob) MBE WOYS
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Passing of a Yeoman
Regret to advise that Warrant Officer Yeoman of Signals Robert (Bob) Hill crossed the bar 1 June 2019. Funeral details are as follows
HILL, Robin Bernard: MBE Service Number: K13418, Warrant Officer Rtd, RNZN – Peacefully at Hutt Hospital on 1 June 2019, aged 84 years. Loved husband of Eunice; father of Bruce and Murray; stepfather of Donald and Nicholas; grandfather of Robert, Dana and Bree; brother of Ngaire. In lieu of flowers, donations to the New Zealand Fallen Hero’s Trust (PO Box 9129, Christchurch) would be appreciated or may be left at the service. Special thanks to the staff of Riverleigh and Ropata Lodge for their loving care. A service to celebrate his life will be held in Cornwall Manor, cnr Knights Road and Cornwall Street, Lower Hutt on Friday, 7 June 2019 at 11.00am followed by private cremation. All messages to “the Hill Family”, c/- PO Box 30-127, Lower Hutt.
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D Day – 6 June 1944
Today we acknowledge our long serving life member of the RNZNCA, Jim Blackburn, who 75 years ago was a young sailor serving in the Royal Navy off the Normandy Beaches supporting Operation Overlord.
Jim is the founding Member of the RNZNCA and has also been President for a good many years. He was also the inaugural President of Philomel Senior Rates Fleet Mess and is currently the President of the HMNZS Otago Association.
Jim is a very well known veteran within the naval community who provides support in a number of ways to the Naval family.
Not many people know that Jim served on HMS Duchess of Fife a paddlewheel minesweeper during WW2.
Duchess of Fife began her passenger service on the Gourock to Dunoon and Rothesay routes. In May 1916 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to a minesweeper for the remainder of World War I with her name shortened to HMS Duchess, and was allocated the pendant number PP533, where she served in the North Sea. She was returned to her owner in April 1919 and from 1937 she undertook sailings from Wemyss Bay to Millport and Kilchattan Bay.
She was requisitioned once again in 1939 upon the outbreak of World War II, this time retaining her full name as HMS Duchess of Fife, pendant number J115. She was part of the 12th Minesweeping Flotilla, based at Harwich.
Duchess of Fife took part in “Operation Dynamo”, the Dunkirk evacuation, while under the command of Temporary Lieutenant J N Anderson of the Royal Naval Reserve. From 28 May, she undertook four crossings between Dunkirk and Ramsgate rescuing a total of 1,633 allied troops. Her final crossing was on 3 June with 300 French troops. She was later awarded a Royal Navy battle honour for her part in the operation.
She was refurbished by James Lamont & Co, Greenock, in 1945 and returned to civilian service. The last sailing of Duchess of Fife was on 6 June 1953, and she was sold for scrapping in September 1953[2] to Smith & Houston Ltd, Port Glasgow.
As a passenger ferry
As a warship WWII
Jim was on watch when a squadron of German E Boats attacked and strafed the Duchess of Fife. I think there used to be a picture up at the Comms School of Jim coming out on to the upper deck, clutching a bag full of Confidential Books and material.
We all wish Jim a great day and recognise Jim’s many achievements. Lets all in our own way “Splice the Mainbrace” and raise our glasses wherever we all might be. Thanks to Jim D for a bit more Jim’s History.
BZ Jim
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VANZ TO VISIT VICTORIA AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA
VANZ VISIT TO MELBOURNE.
Bernadine MacKenzie (Head of VANZ), Sharon Cavanagh (Manager Veterans Services) and other staff members will hold two forums for veterans in Victoria.:
Sunday 23 June. Caulfield & NZRSL, 4 St Georges Rd, Elsternwick, Melbourne. Lunch at 12.30pm followed by the forum.
Monday 24 June. ANZAC House, 4 Collins St. Melbourne 10.30am. Followed by a light lunch.
The forums will begin with a short presentation, followed by a Q&A session. Then if any veterans would like individual time with a Case Manager there will be three staff available to do that.
VANZ VISIT TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA
At this time three sessions have been planned:
Tuesday 25 June at 1030 hours
Tuesday 25 June at 1930 hours
Wednesday 26 June at 1300 hours
The venue is still to be advised but will be in the Perth CBD.
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Passing of Henare Rama Hawe
Regret to advise the Henare Rama Hawe crossed the bar last night. Our thoughts go out to Michelle and her family. Henara joined the RNZN on 6 September 1966 and discharged as a Chief Petty Officer Electronic Warfare Supervisor on 30 April 1979. On joining the Navy he was a Junior Recruit Radio Operator and changed over the Electronic Warfare trade at Leading Rate. He served in TAMAKI, OTAGO, PHILOMEL IRIRANGI KAHAWAI, WAKEFIELD, CANTERBURY and TASMAN. Details of Tangi will be posted when known.
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Veterans Support Amendment Bill – Talk about Fastrack – UPDATE
I cannot and have never heard of anything moving this fast in the Beehive especially anything to do with Veterans. Update in Red as at 8 Jun 19
The Veterans Support Amendment Bill
Introduced into Parliament 23 May 19
First Reading 28 May 19
Passed to Social Services and Community Select Committee and submissions close 3 Jun (Note the 3rd June is Queens Birthday and submissions close at midnight) Hardly much time for the public to get submissions in. If our MP’s had reacted to our prompts prior to first reading we might not be in this position now.
Second Reading – 12 June 2019
A copy of the RNZN Communicators Assn submission to the Select Committee can be read HERE.
Three other submissions were put forward to the Select Committee which amounted to one-liners in support of the Amendment to the Act. You can read these submissions by clicking HERE (they won’t take you long). These submissions were from the Ranfurly Veterans Trust, NZ Vietnam Veterans Association and Mark Treadgold.
A meeting of the Social Services and Community Select Committee was held on 6 June however due to there being no oral submissions the meeting will no longer be open to the public. Two National members of the committee, Louise Upston and Alfred Ngaru will both be absent from the meeting so it is unsure who will be representing the National Party. I guess the National Party Whips will be busy this morning. A further meeting has been scheduled for 11 June 2019 at 0900 – 1000. We have no idea who will be attending this meeting and it is not currently scheduled to be live streamed.
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Unofficial Communicators Get Together
Des Sanson is looking at arranging an unofficial get-together of Communications sailors and wrens in the Wellington Region. Also invited are any ex pussers/jennies of all branches. The luncheon will be held in the Palmerston North Navalmens Club which is located on the Cnr Willis and Domain Streets.
The date is the 4th August 2019 from 1100 onwards. It would be appreciated if those wishing to attend, confirm with Des Sanson no later than 24th July via email zmpsf55@yahoo.com.au
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Ladies of the Branch
Here is an image, I think out of ‘Reveille’ which was the newspaper of the service at one time. Michelle lives in Rotorua but where are the other two ladies?
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Men of the Branch
Here are a couple of images from 1976 showing two Communicators excelling at HMNZS TAMAKI.
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WAITANGI 1983
Here is an image of Linda Bryant manning the Communications tent at Waitangi. It was really some set up for Communicators.
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Another Lady Another Time
Here is an image from a past era. Well done Signals Wren Sandy. Sandy is h0lding the Lorelle H Corbin trophy for being the best all-round WRNZNS New Entry Trainee. Not sure what year but maybe Sandy can comment.
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